CheapTweet Blog

Andrew, the industrious CheapTweet mailroom clerk, is back with another reader letter. This week, Andrew answers a tough question about how to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for that not-so-special someone.

If you missed the last post from the CheapTweet mailroom, watch it here.

Do you have your own question for Andrew? He reads emails, too, so feel free to send him your questions. Maybe he’ll read it in the next CheapTweet mailroom video! You can also follow Andrew on Twitter at @ishak.

In CheapTweet Happy Hour #3, we discuss National Wear Red Day, Valentine’s Day, and the Super Bowl. We’ve got lots of great deals to tell you about this week, so sit back, relax, and just enjoy the fact that it’s Friday!

Links to the deals we talk about are posted below the video.

• Wear red, save 20% at Macy’s
• Some of our favorite jewelry designers on Etsy:
  • Naked-Jewelry
  • Sterling Roses Design
  • Lilly Queen
• Free two-day shipping on Kindle from Amazon
• Free bowling from Brunswick
• Super Bowl baby booties from Curious Workmanship
• Deals on new HDTVs

Valentine’s Day can be stressful and oh so expensive. There’s a lot of pressure to have the perfect romantic day; jewelry stores start running Valentine’s Day commercials right after Christmas, restaurant reservations are booked a month in advance, and roses get more and more expensive every day. But, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a memorable Valentine’s Day. Here are five ways you can save money this February 14th.

1. Cook dinner at home.

Eating Valentine’s Day dinner at a fancy restaurant can be very expensive, not to mention crowded. Instead, cook something at home. You can experiment with a new recipe or cook an old favorite. Add some candles and presto, a romantic, candlelit dinner! As a bonus, if you have special occasion china, this is a great opportunity to use it.

2. Skip the roses.

Around Valentine’s Day, the price of roses skyrockets, especially red ones. If you want to give flowers to your valentine, try another variety. There are so many beautiful kinds of flowers; roses are definitely not the only option. In fact, you could buy a potted plant and it will last even longer.

3. Buy handmade.

Why spend hundreds of dollars on overpriced chain store jewelry when you can buy a handcrafted, one-of-kind piece of jewelry for much less? Sites like Etsy offer so many beautiful choices and almost all of them are considerably less expensive than what you’ll find at the mall. Plus, you’ll be supporting an independent artisan.

4. Start a new tradition.

Instead of celebrating your love the same way everyone else does – flowers, candy, fancy dinner out – try something new. Think of something silly, fun or just different that you can do together, and make a commitment to do it every year. A friend of mine and her husband go to Waffle House on Valentine’s Day. They’ve been doing that for ten years, and it’s sweet and cheap! Check out the fun and inexpensive things you can do in your town. For example, there are a ton of free things to do if you live in the Bay Area and here are a few cheap dates ideas if you live in Austin.

5. Make your own cards and gifts.

One of the best ways to show your love and appreciation for your partner is by making a gift. Some of my favorite gifts have been made by the gift-giver. For example, think about making a photo album or scrapbook, a framed photo or artwork, a thoughtful note, and so on. Anything that reflects how you feel about your valentine or an important part of your relationship will work. Be creative!

Also, be sure to check out all the Valentine’s Day deals we’re finding on CheapTweet. From the biggest name brands to the smallest local and independent sellers, we’ve got the best sales, discounts and coupons for all your Valentine’s Day needs.

It might seem a little early, but the candy, roses and heart shaped displays are already in stores. That’s right, Valentine’s Day is coming up fast. At CheapTweet we want to make sure you can show the one you love how much you care even in these tough economic times. That’s why we’ve added our brand new Valentine’s Day category. Take a look at all the great Valentine’s deals people are talking about on Twitter and share the love without breaking the bank!

Oh, and one more thing… We’ve got several really cool Valentine’s day tricks up our sleeves so stay tuned to this blog and @cheaptweet as the 14th approaches!